Video gamers are in demand to help patrol the nation's skies. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a recent social media post that the FAA's recruitment campaign to hire gamers as air traffic controllers has been a 'game changer' for the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA hired more than 2,000 video gamers to train as controllers, meeting 94% of its hiring goal, according to the Transportation Department, with another 2,000+ candidates in the pipeline. Gaming requires many of the same skills that air traffic controllers use on the job, such as thinking quickly, staying focused and managing multiple sources of information as they guide more than 80,000 flights daily.

Only about 25% of controllers hold a traditional college degree, and the median annual wage in 2024 was $144,580, though less experienced workers at smaller airports earn near $60,000. A GAO report warned of a controller shortage that could cause more flight delays, and a recent government shutdown forced essential staff to work without pay.

To qualify for the FAA's Air Traffic Controller Academy in Oklahoma City, candidates must be U.S. citizens, under 31, pass pre‑employment tests and an aptitude exam; historically fewer than 10% of applicants meet these criteria.